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Residents urge council to revisit ICE memorandum of understanding; speakers voice mixed views
Summary
During final public comment, speakers urged the council to either support continued cooperation with ICE or to put the ICE memorandum of understanding on an upcoming agenda for reconsideration. Views ranged from calls to maintain law-enforcement partnerships to requests for a formal vote to re-evaluate policy.
Multiple residents used the final public comment period to press the council on the city's relationship with federal immigration enforcement and to express contrasting views about Henderson Police Department cooperation with ICE.
John Mann, speaking for a constituent, urged the council to "refrain from the emotions that would cause you to prevent ICE or any other federal agency to continue to do their role enforcing the law," and encouraged support for local and federal law enforcement. Jane Palin told the council she had "extreme respect for Henderson Police Department" and urged continued cooperation with federal ICE agents.
By contrast, Justin Lafferty requested the council place discussion of the ICE memorandum of understanding on the March 3 agenda (or soon) so residents could hear and vote on it; he said many neighbors live in fear of ICE tactics and asked for re-evaluation of the city's partnership. Several speakers asked for clearer public information and for the council to consider resident concerns when deciding whether to maintain or modify formal agreements with federal agencies.
The council did not take immediate action on the comments during the meeting; staff said issues raised would be referred to appropriate departments for response via the city's contact system.
